​Ballinamore & Josephs Ladies battle to avoid Manor as Kiltubrid look to bounce back

The number of chances to make your mark in this year’s Leitrim GAA & LGFA Club Championships is rapidly decreasing but as group 1 of the Fresh Today Junior A Championship demonstrated last Sunday, you never know what might happen!

​Aughnasheelin turned a one point halftime lead against Mohill’s second string into a comprehensive 3-19 to 2-3 victory that catapulted them into the semi-finals, despite finishing level with St Mary’s Kiltoghert and Kiltubrid and the Carrick men having the better scoring difference after their dramatic 2-11 to 1-13 win over a previously unbeaten Kiltubrid.

That’s because when teams are tied in group formats where all the teams played each other, only the game’s involving the teams involved in the tie are considering – Aughnasheelin beat St Mary’s by six points, lost to Kiltubrid by three so they came out with the best scoring difference, Kiltubrid next and St Mary’s third, meaning the Carrick men face Ballinamore in the quarter-finals while Kiltubird take on Cloone.

In a dramatic match, St Mary’s led by seven points at halftime after two first half goals gave them a 2-6 to 0-5 advantage. Kiltubrid came storming out of the blocks in the second half to level by the 12th minute, Danny McWeeney getting the goal. But despite leading twice in the rest of the game, Kiltubrid were never able to pull away, St Mary’s getting the winner late on.

There was a controversial ending when full-time was initially blown after Kiltubrid had won a fifty but the kick was allowed be taken, Kiltubrid missing the chance that would have earned them a draw and top spot in the group.

Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins cruised to a 1-19 to 0-4 victory over Glenfarne Kiltyclogher on Sunday but they may lost some of their strong players with their Senior team in action on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s quarter-final in Carrigallen.

SEMI-FINAL PATH AT STAKE IN BALLINAMORE

It is a measure of the shadow Glencar Manorhamilton have cast over the LGFA Senior Championship that the prize Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins and St Joseph’s are fighting over next Sunday in the final round of group games is the chance to avoid the champions in the semi-finals.

Ballinamore secured an 11 point win over Drumkeerin, 3-17 to 3-8, while St Joseph’s blitzed St Francis 5-12 to 0-4. Ballinamore are in second place ahead of St Mary’s on the head to head rule, three points ahead of St Joseph’s.

A Ballinamore win or a draw leaves them in second place with St Mary’s third and St Joseph’s in the semi-final against Glencar Manorhamilton. A win for Joes puts them level with Mary’s and O’Heslins and then scoring difference comes into play, Ballinamore with the worst of the three so there is quite a lot to play for.

LADIES INTER FINAL SPOTS UP FOR GRABS

With Kiltubrid finishing off the campaign unbeaten after a comfortable 5-18 to 0-8 victory over relegated Fenagh and Mohill holding off Dromahair, 1-13 to 2-5, we now know next weekend’s semi-finals in the LGFA Intermediate Championship. Kiltubrid will take on Dromahair while Annaduff face a tough test against Mohill, venues to be fixed at the time of going to press.

KEELDRA & BRIGIDS INTO JUNIOR FINAL

Keeldra Gaels and St Brigid’s set up the first of the LGFA County Finals for 2025 after they proved too strong for Leitrim Gaels and St Mary’s second string respectively. Keeldra beat the Gaels 4-13 to 0-3 while St Brigid’s were similarly impressive with a 5-15 to 2-2. The Final is set for Sunday October 4.

MINOR SEMI-FINALS SET FOR SATURDAY

The Westlink Coaches U17 Championship is down to the knockout stages in Division 1 and 2 next Saturday with four intriguing games down for decision. In Division 1, reigning champions St Mary’s Kiltoghert completed an unbeaten group phase with a 2-12 to 2-3 victory over Lake Gaels while Annaduff secured second placed with a 4-16 to 4-11 win over Mac Cumhaills.

The big drama came in Boggaun where Rinn Gaels’ 4-12 to 3-8 victory over Glencar Manorhamilton saw them pip Naomh Eoin, who had finished their programme a week earlier, on scoring difference, their seven point winning margin last Saturday enough to see them into the last four. Rinn Gaels’ prize is a meeting with St Mary’s who beat them by 17 points in the second last game of the group stages while Annaduff host Glencar Manorhamilton in Eslin, Annaduff having won the group stage game by 13 points.

In Division 2, Dromahair completed an unbeaten campaign thanks to a staggering 9-17 to 5-9 victory over fourth placed St Brigid’s, who they meet in the semi-final next Saturday in St Osnat’s. Mohill defeated Lake Gaels 8-10 to 2-5 to secure third place and a trip to C arrigallen next Saturday at 11 am to take on St Joseph’s, the amalgamation not in action in the final round. St Mary’s Kiltoghert’s second string side missed out on the semi-finals, finishing fifth after receiving a walkover from Melvin Gaels.

JUNIOR B & C PROGRESS

In the Fresh Today Junior B Championship, Annaduff suffered a first defeat when Gortletteragh bounced back from the disappointment of their Intermediate quarter final loss on Saturday to secure a 1-14 to 3-5 victory, their first win of the campaign. In Group 2, Allen Gaels inflicted a heavy 8-30 to 0-3 beating on Fenagh St Caillins to move into second place behind Leitrim Gaels, the top two having played a game more than those behind them. In the Junior C grade, Drumkeerin moved top of Group 2 thanks to a hard fought 2-12 to 1-9 win over Leitrim Gaels.